L'Oréal Recherche, Chevilly, France.
Skin Res Technol. 2010 May;16(2):168-78. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0846.2009.00416.x.
Few comparative data are available on age-related changes in skin color among different ethnic groups. The aim of the study was to measure and analyze the skin color and color heterogeneity in four different ethnic groups living in the same local environment and to determine the effects of age on these skin color characteristics.
Female volunteers (385) from four ethnic populations (African-American, Caucasian, Chinese and Mexicans) living in the same city were enrolled after informed consent. Skin color was measured on two facial areas, forehead and cheek. The subjects were further divided into six age ranges: 19-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70 and 71-87 years to determine any age-related effects on the skin color and color heterogeneity in both areas.
According to the L()a()b(*) CIE system, clarity (fairness/lightness) was found to be lower in the African-American group whereas the hue was lower in Caucasians, which means more red skin. A clear, statistically significant darkening of the skin with age was observed in all ethnic groups, while evidence of yellowing of the skin was shown in the Chinese volunteers. Overall, the skin color of the face of African-Americans was more heterogeneous than in the other ethnic groups, but showed the least increase with age.
Our study revealed interesting differences in skin color and color heterogeneity with respect to ethnicity and age-related alterations. Data obtained are very useful in improving our knowledge about the skin of people of different origins and helps in the development of specific cosmetic products that are well adapted to all these populations.
关于不同种族人群的皮肤颜色随年龄变化的比较数据较少。本研究旨在测量和分析生活在同一环境中的四个不同种族群体的皮肤颜色和颜色不均匀性，并确定年龄对这些皮肤颜色特征的影响。
在获得知情同意后，招募了居住在同一城市的四个种族（非裔美国人、白种人、中国人和墨西哥人）的 385 名女性志愿者。在两个面部区域（额头和脸颊）测量皮肤颜色。将受试者进一步分为六个年龄组：19-30 岁、31-40 岁、41-50 岁、51-60 岁、61-70 岁和 71-87 岁，以确定年龄对两个区域的皮肤颜色和颜色不均匀性的影响。
根据 L()a()b(*) CIE 系统，非裔美国人组的清晰度（ fairness/lightness）较低，而白种人组的色调较低，这意味着皮肤更红。所有种族群体的皮肤都明显随着年龄的增长而变暗，而中国人志愿者的皮肤变黄。总的来说，非裔美国人面部皮肤的颜色不均匀性比其他种族群体更为明显，但随着年龄的增长，增加幅度最小。
我们的研究揭示了皮肤颜色和颜色不均匀性在种族和年龄相关性变化方面的有趣差异。获得的数据对于提高我们对不同起源人群皮肤的认识非常有用，并有助于开发适合所有这些人群的特定化妆品。
